Captain Cook fatality 02-20-07

MEDIA RELEASE

A 53-year-old Captain Cook man died Saturday (February 17) from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle/motorcycle crash on February 16 at the intersection of Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11) and Captain Cook Road.

The victim was identified as Joseph K. Keliipaakaua III of Captain Cook.

Responding to an 11:34 a.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that Keliipaakaua was operating a 2005 Honda motorcycle and traveling north on Route 11 when a 79-year-old Captain Cook man operating a 2006 GMC pick-up truck and traveling south made a left turn in front of him.

Fire rescue personnel took Keliipaakaua to Kona Community Hospital. He was later flown to the Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. He died Saturday at 12:37 a.m.

The driver of the pick-up truck refused any medical treatment. The motorcycle rider was not wearing a helmet.

It is not known at this time if speed or alcohol contributed to this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.